FOREWORD By S Narsing Rao, IAS Retired To the book ‘Democracy and Governance Through Lens and Blurred Glasses A Journey into Distorted Visions of Modern-Day Politics’

 FOREWORD By S Narsing Rao, IAS Retired 

to the book ‘Democracy and Governance 

Through Lens and Blurred Glasses

A Journey into Distorted Visions 

of Modern-Day Politics’

By Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

India is the world’s largest democracy. We, as Indians, should rightly feel proud to say so, and to hear it echoed both within India and across the world. More importantly, however, Indian democracy is much more than the superlative adjective of being the ‘largest.’ It is also relatively young and extraordinarily complex, socially, culturally, geographically, ethnically, and politically, when compared to most other democracies. The fact that it has not only survived about eight decades, but also going strong on a macro sense speaks volumes about how the democracy has been imbibed by its citizens, though it was some kind of an alien concept to India.

Post-independence, India proved its sceptics wrong. Those who predicted that Indians were incapable of managing a united, let alone democratic, nation had to correct themselves. This is undoubtedly a very big achievement in itself. That India has not only survived but thrived for nearly eight decades is a remarkable achievement. Around one billion eligible voters, the majority of whom participate enthusiastically in periodic elections, peacefully change governments. This feat deserves admiration, especially in contrast with events such as those at Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021.

In this background, a natural question arises: how is Indian Democracy evolving over time? The answer is not straightforward. Every Indian holds a personal view, ranging across the entire spectrum. Obviously in a pluralistic and democratic polity this is expected because every individual would have right to form and express their own impression and interpretation.

Yet, there are some basic tenets by which every democracy must be judged. Two fundamental pillars define it, namely, Representative and Participative Democracy. The representative form is well established in India, at least in letter if not always in spirit. Periodic, timely, and largely peaceful elections to State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha testify to this, despite challenges such as money power, muscle power, and low voter participation. The worrying aspect, however, is the near extinction of the participative element of democracy, and citizens’ active engagement beyond elections.

Another disturbing trend, seen not only in India but across South Asia, is the transformation of ruling and opposition parties into enemies rather than political opponents. The culture of dialogue and consensus has nearly vanished, a decline visible since the mid-1970s. It is ironic that political parties often oppose, while in opposition, the very policies they proposed while in power.

Today, India’s democratic practice often appears reduced to a mathematical equation: (X/2) + 1, where X denotes the total strength of the Legislature. Such a narrow conception, winning just enough to govern, renders democracy a licence to rule rather than a mandate to serve. Most parties now support what is politically expedient, not necessarily what is morally or socially equitable. The recent Constitutional Amendment providing reservations to Economically Weaker Sections is one such instance of broad but politically convenient consensus.

A vibrant civil society is a ‘sin quo non’ for a thriving democracy, and contemporary India fares poorly on this count. Since the embrace of liberalization four decades ago, material success has overshadowed civic responsibility, mirroring the Chinese model, where wealth often substitutes for citizenship. Politics has become outsourced to parties; citizens merely renew or change their ‘contracts’ once in five years through voting in elections. This disengagement poses a serious threat to India’s democratic health.

Effective and Efficient Governance is the natural outcome of a healthy democracy. As the quality of democratic functioning declines, so too does the quality of governance. The bureaucracy, an integral part of democratic machinery, therefore plays a pivotal role. An Efficient, Professional, Responsive, and Credible Bureaucracy is essential for Good Governance.

A fundamental principle of bureaucracy is its loyalty to the Constitution, in letter and spirit, but not to the government of the day. Unfortunately, India fares poorly here. Even constitutional and statutory institutions often fail to inspire public confidence. Innovative frameworks such as Local Self-Governance, the Right to Information, Education, and Citizens’ Charters have fallen short of their intended potential.

The Rule of Law which is one of the basic tenets of democratic governance, must be ethical, moral, and oriented toward public interest. Democracy is not merely about electing a government; it also requires all institutions to function objectively, efficiently, competently, and with integrity. Beyond written codes, democracy depends on countless unwritten conventions and moral practices that sustain its spirit.

When the Rule of Law weakens, Civil Society disengages, and Public Institutions falter, governments risk becoming semi-autocratic rather than truly democratic.

Few individuals write about democracy and governance not merely as observers but as participants. Fewer still do so with the clarity, consistency, and courage that Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao brings to his work. His writings, spanning decades and diverse themes, reflect a lifetime immersed in the institutions, struggles, aspirations, and ideals of public service. Having known Jwala both professionally and personally for over a decade, during our years in the Government of Telangana, I have witnessed his rare ability to perceive governance as both an art and a discipline.

            The present volume, Democracy and Governance through Lens and Blurred Glasses, gathers seventy-five of his articles written over a fifteen-year period, covering nearly every facet of India’s democratic experiment. These essays are not bound by chronology; they converse across time, revealing how ideas of democracy evolve, falter, and renew themselves. Reading them together, one recognizes the author’s conviction that democracy is not a static achievement but a perpetual act of vigilance.

The early chapters remind us that democracy’s endurance in India has depended on its remarkable capacity for self-correction. Through his essay Democracy is Capable to Save Itself, Come What May, Jwala sets the tone for the book: democracy, he argues, survives not by accident but by the moral choices of its citizens and institutions. From this premise, the subsequent articles unfold naturally, each addressing a pillar of democratic functioning and the interplay between politics, governance, and ethics.

Running through all reflections is a clear message: governance without ethics is hollow exercise. Jwala’s commentaries reveal an unwavering belief that moral integrity is not ornamental but operational; it is the lifeblood that keeps institutions from degenerating into instruments of convenience.

A refreshing dimension of the book is the voice accorded to the citizen. Beyond welfare schemes and development projects, the essays remind us that people yearn for dignity, courtesy, and genuine choice in their dealings with the state. In doing so, the author expands the canvas of democracy from being a system of periodic elections to a culture of everyday respect and responsiveness. This perspective is perhaps the most valuable, for it re-centers governance on its true sovereign, the citizen.

The decline of ethical conduct in politics and public life is another theme that receives candid treatment. Without moral compass, even the most carefully designed institutions can be reduced to instruments of manipulation. By tracing the trajectory of this decline and juxtaposing it against historical standards of political decorum, the author calls for a revival of the three indispensable Ds: Decency, Dignity, and Decorum, in public life.

The role of the bureaucracy is also examined with characteristic nuance. Far from being either glorified or demonized, the bureaucracy is portrayed as indispensable to the functioning of democracy, provided it retains impartiality and is insulated from whimsical transfers and undue pressures. The emphasis on training, ethics, and accountability makes these chapters particularly relevant to practitioners of administration.

By weaving these seemingly modest but deeply consequential themes into the larger canvas of democracy and governance, the author demonstrates that the strength of our system does not lie in grand pronouncements alone, but equally in the quiet observance of conventions, courtesies, and continuities that preserve trust between state and society.

Taken together, the range of themes covered in this work is truly vast. Yet what binds them is not just the variety of subjects, but the coherence of a vision, that democracy, with all its flaws, remains our best hope, provided it is nurtured with vigilance, ethics, and humility. That is why this book, in my opinion, is destined to remain a classic reference for anyone who wishes to understand the strengths, weaknesses, and future trajectory of Indian democracy.

In conclusion, this compilation stands as both a chronicle and a conscience, faithful to fact, yet bold in its questioning. It chronicles India’s democratic journey with fidelity to fact, but also serves as a conscience that asks uncomfortable questions. It urges readers, especially those in public life, to restore to politics its sense of purpose, to governance its sense of service, and to democracy its sense of dignity. In doing so, Democracy and Governance through Lens and Blurred Glasses affirms what its author has always believed: that democracy, though sometimes blurred, remains the clearest lens through which a nation can examine itself.

(S Narsing Rao was a Former Principal Secretary to First Chief Minister, Telangana; Former Chairman, Coal India Ltd, and Former Managing Director, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd besides.

Narsing Rao’s areas of interests have been Rural Development, Poverty Alleviation, Environment and Ecology. He held various key positions both at District and State Administration. His wide international exposure and expertise made him as Consultant to the International Fund for Agriculture Development; Chief Technical Advisor to UN Offices of Project Services, Chief Advisor Poverty Alleviation and Rural Development in South and South Esat Asia, Technical Advisor to Governments of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Myanmar etc. among others. He passionately worked for Reforms in Administration)-Author

 

CONTENTS

·       Author’s Acknowledgements

·       An Appraisal: By Justice V Ramasubramanian, ‘Distinguished Legal Luminary’ and former Supreme Court Judge, and now the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

·       FOREWORD, By S Narsing Rao, IAS (Retd), Former Principal Secretary to First Chief Minister, Telangana; Former Chairman, Coal India Ltd, and Former Managing Director, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd

·       PROLOGUE: A Chronicle of Democracy, A Companion in Governance: Perspective of a Master Trainer on Journey of a Visionary, by MP Sethy, Former Chief Consultant and JDG Dr MCR HRD Institute

·       Author’s Preface by Jwala Narasimha Rao Vanam

·       Introduction of the Author by Venkat Parsa, Senior Journalist

·       Democracy is Capable to Save Itself, Come What May: Despite ‘Perils’ Replacing ‘Pearls’ of Democracy

·       Dawn of Administrative Reforms in Indian Democracy

·       Erroneous Decision of Apex Court During 1975 Emergency, Violated Fundamental Rights

·       Parliament Accountability is on the decline: Study on ‘Democracy, Governance and Human Rights’

·       UK Experience-Resignations of Law Makers

·       Parliament should be Accountable

·       Genesis and Evolution of District Administration

·       Civil Servants, Shoulder Shared Responsibilities

·       Fluctuating Knowledge, Skill, and Attitude of Civil Servants: ‘Training for Ethics in Administration’ is Challenging

·       Polls a Vibrant fete of Democracy

·       From Financial to Calendar Year

·       Empowering Citizen’s Right to Information

·       Activate Cooperative Federalism

·       Policy Consistency is the Beauty of Democracy

·       Push for Ethics in Bureaucracy

·       Making India Great Again

·       Qualitative Change in Indian Polity

·       India in want of a New Direction and Script a new Narrative in Polity

·       Adhere to Lakshman Rekha

·       Need Nationwide Debate on Checks and Balances

·       Election Manifesto Must be SMART

·       Do not whine, enable voters

·       Protecting Federal Autonomy in Democracy

·       Parliament must get back primacy

·       More Citizen-Centric Responsive Governance: Why Citizen Charters are a must in a Democracy

·       Democracy: Evolution of Electronic Voting Machines

·       Gubernatorial gimmicks of modern democratic times

·       In India’s Parliamentary Democracy, President of India, an Authoritative Institution

·       Think and course-correct to sustain democracy

·       Democracy and Governance need to clarify: To Whom Does the Scheduled Area Belong?

·       Lessons from Sri Rama’s Raj Dharma

·       Trinity of Gods and Pillars of Democracy

·       How TS has become a model state in India

·       Reform initiatives in KCR’s TS governance

·       Decline of ethical behaviour in politics

·       Follow in footsteps of Presidents

·       Heralding Administrative Reforms in Amrit Kal

·       If democracy is bought in India, what next?

·       Why resurgence of secular, democratic forces

·       Justice is not delayed are denied for some

·       Tech-based solutions can check poll abuses

·       Uphold Constitutional spirit, follow customs

·       What makes election of President important

·       Declining Role of Parliament

·       Evolution of Election Process and the way forward

·       For a Good Life Beyond ‘Welfare, Development’: Citizens Plead ‘Treat us with Courtesy, Give us Choice and Voice’

·       Frequent Transfer of Public Servants Impede Responsive Government

·       How fair and unbiased are the constitutional bodies?

·       Poll Code needs easing in case of lengthy schedule

·       ‘Prevention Better than Cure’ true in Economic Crimes too

·       A travesty of ethics in Indian politics and Democracy

·       A vision for better governance: Facilitators for last-mile connectivity

·       Democracy not a perfect mode, but must prevail

·       Facilitating Delivery of Good Governance

·       Prime Ministers varied approachesto ‘press meets’

·       Policy moves by new governments must be in public interest

·       Probe into exorbitant poll spending

·       Raj Dharma vital for peace and prosperity

·       Democracy and Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s SMART Governance, a Model

·       When Cure is Worse Than Disease

·       Significance of New Criminal Code Laws for a Lay Person

·       Judiciary’s Directive to Governors and President: Constitutional Check or Institutional Overreach?

·       Constitution Supreme and highest legal doctrine

·       Improper Educational Policies, Stymie Professional Faculties

·       Critics of Governance should be patient and genuinely constructive

·       Intellectual Cowardice Dismantling Community

·       Life lessons from Puranas for modern times

·       Political Leadership is all about respecting and Honoring conscientious well-wishers

·       Political Realignments and Strategic Positioning

·       Balancing Between ‘Candour and Discretion’

·       ECI’s Ineffectiveness: The Watchdog on a Leash

·       Tragicomic Political Theatre-Beware of Gatekeepers Guarding Doors too Tightly

·       Conventions of Continuity and Consultation Symbolize Constitutional Morality (Governance is a Relay Race, not a Sprint)

·       Parties in Power, Power in Parties: from Roots to Routes

·       The Infectious Culture of Power Proximity: Frames Without Substance

·       Unprincipled Defections by Lawmakers define the Theatre of Politics

·       Vibhishana the ‘Defector’ with a Difference

COUNSEL BEFORE DEFECTION, CONSULT BEFORE ADMISSION

 

An Evening with Rajiv and Jyotsna from Amsterdam : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 An Evening with 

Rajiv and Jyotsna from Amsterdam

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

November 5, 2025

Day before Yesterday (November 3, 2025) evening turned out to be one of those rare, heartwarming moments that life occasionally gifts us, when memories, relationships, and stories of history seamlessly blend with the present. Along with my wife Vijayalakshmi, and joined by our daughter Prema, I had the unique pleasure of hosting Rajiv and Jyotsna, a gracious couple from Amsterdam. They are close family friends of our son Aditya and daughter-in-law Parul, and their visit added a delightful spark to our evening.

The occasion was casual, dinner preceded by a small ‘Social Drink,’ courtesy of Rajiv’s thoughtful Single Malt Gift. Yet the experience grew into something far beyond the ordinary. Rajiv is in Hyderabad to participate in an international golf tournament and was accompanied by his wife Jyotsna, with plans to spend a week here before moving on to Delhi to meet his relatives.

Our association with them goes back to our own visit to Amsterdam last year to spend over two months of holiday with my son Aditya’s family, when Rajiv and Jyotsna had warmly hosted us as special guests. That hospitality had left a lasting impression, and yesterday’s reunion carried that ‘Same Spirit’ of affection and camaraderie.

What made the evening truly memorable, however, was not merely the fine dinner or friendly laughter, but the real-life stories that surfaced through conversation. It all began with a simple, innocent question from my wife Vijayalakshmi, as she often asks visiting couples, ‘How did you both meet?’ From that moment on, a thread of reminiscences unraveled, taking us on an emotional journey that connected generations and continents.

Rajiv, born in 1956, began narrating with pride and affection the saga of his family, particularly of his illustrious father, Late Shri HL Mehra, a person of remarkable courage, intellect, and integrity. The story Rajiv shared was not just a personal tale, but it was a slice of the subcontinent’s history.

Before moving to that part, Rajiv briefly recalled with a smile how he first met Jyotsna. Their meeting, he said, took place in a ‘Moderate Gathering’ arranged from both the bride’s and groom’s side, though, as per custom, they were the only two not allowed to meet each other! Yet, destiny had its way. Their very next meeting was without anyone’s presence, and in that quiet moment, they both instantly liked each other.

As Rajiv put it fondly, that was the beginning of everything. Interestingly, Rajiv’s maternal side women relatives and Jyotsna’s maternal side women relatives happened to be friends, and that friendly connection gently shaped the alliance into a beautiful marriage. And the rest was, what they are now as a lovely couple with affectionate children, a son, and a daughter, well settled. What else one needs in life than fulfilment?

The Mehra family hailed from Peshawar, then a part of British India. When the partition of India was announced in 1947, they, like millions of others, faced the agonizing choice between homeland and safety. Rajiv’s father, Mehra Ji then as a young man, had after his schooling and basic college education, earlier moved to Allahabad in British India for further studies, and later completed his MA and LLM from the prestigious Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.

After returning to his native Peshawar, he began a professional practice, something like a law firm, and was well established there when the partition process began. As conditions deteriorated, his staff, friends, and well-wishers strongly advised him to move to the Indian side before matters turned worse. His mother and elder sisters had already left for Delhi just before the division. On August 14, 1947, the day before India’s independence, he disguised himself with a beard and under a different name, managed to reach the railway station with the help of an army officer friend, and boarded a ‘Train to India.’

Listening to Rajiv narrate this episode, I was involuntarily reminded of Khushwant Singh’s classic novel Train to Pakistan, that haunting literary reminder of pain, hope, and rebirth during partition. Arriving in India on August 15, 1947, the day the tricolor first fluttered in free skies, HL Mehra had to rebuild life from the ashes of displacement. His resilience soon found its path. After a short stint with the Birla Group that offered him a good position, he was selected for the Indian Revenue Service, opting for public service over private gain, a choice that defined his life and legacy. It could be those days preference.

Rising through the ranks, Mehra served with exemplary dedication, earning a reputation for his integrity and discipline. His contribution to the Integration of Princely Rajasthan into the Indian Union stands out as a significant chapter in administrative history. Later, he became the First Income Tax Officer in Jammu and Kashmir after partition, a challenging posting during a politically volatile period. Rajiv fondly recalled how the family once hosted Morarji Desai, then Finance Minister and later Prime Minister of India, during his visit to Srinagar.

HL Mehra Ji retired in 1978 as Commissioner of Income Tax but was given a two-year extension in recognition of his outstanding service. He lived a full, remarkable life of 102 years, passing away in 2022, still in sound health and sharp mind, a testimony to both discipline and grace.

As Rajiv and Jyotsna recounted these episodes, their narrative carried both pride and nostalgia; pride in the values inherited from a towering father, and nostalgia for a time when commitment to nation-building overshadowed personal comfort. They also spoke warmly about their four-decade-long life in Amsterdam, their children, and the close-knit circle of friends they cherish there, the recent friendship with my son’s family, Rajiv’s, and Aditya’s common interest in Golf etc. They shared how every year, even after migrating, they celebrated Mehra’s birthdays with deep respect, especially his 99^th, 100^th, and 101^st half year birthday milestones, making a difference in view of Carona Endemic. 

For us, listening to them was an experience far beyond an ordinary dinner conversation. It was a rediscovery of how life stories, when shared in sincerity, bridge generations and continents. Such meetings remind us that the world, despite distances, remains bound by human emotions, of love, gratitude, and remembrance.

As we concluded the evening with warm smiles and promises to meet again, I realized that encounters like these are not merely social occasions. They are windows into unseen lives, forgotten histories, and new friendships. They inspire reflection on the enduring human spirit, one that travels through time, geography, and circumstance, but never loses its warmth.

It was a memorable evening that we enjoyed. 

An Evening at Veda Bhavan, Coinciding my Wife’s Birthday......Blessings from Jagadguru Vidushekhara Bharathi Swami : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 An Evening at Veda Bhavan, Coinciding my Wife’s Birthday  

Blessings from Jagadguru Vidushekhara Bharathi Swami

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

(November 3, 2025)

Yesterday (November 2, 2025) evening I and my wife Vijayalakshmi, had the divine privilege of participating in a moderate gathering of spiritually elevating program at Veda Bhavan, situated in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad periphery, and ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ at a distance of 35 kilometers from my residence. Established in 1984, not at the present place, but elsewhere, with the blessings of His Holiness the Paramacharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, by Late Venkatram Ghanapati, a widely recognized Leading Vedic Scholar and nourished incessantly by an equally great Vedic Scholar Sriram Ghanapati, as Sankara Gurukul Veda Patasala, stands as the leading centers of Vedic Learning of its Kind.  

Our visit which handsomely coincided with my wife’s 73^rd Birthday, an auspicious convergence of personal joy and divine grace. The occasion became all the more memorable as we had the rare fortune to receive the blessings of His Holiness Sri Sringeri Jagadguru Vidushekhara Bharathi Swami, the illustrious Pontiff of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham. I along with my wife also had the privilege of presenting my latest book ‘Democracy and Governance Through Lens and Blurred Glasses- A Journey into Distorted Visions of Modern-Day Politics’ and an earlier publication ‘Sajiva Vahini Sanatana Dharmam (Telugu.’ I was awe stuck when on seeing me and on introduction by Sriram Ghanapati, Swamiji instantly recalled receiving the Telugu Book from a disciple.

His Holiness Vidushekhara Bharathi Swamiji’s Anugraha Bhashanam (The Blessed Discourse or The Benevolent Speech), brief yet profound, reflected the timeless depth of the Vedic Vision and the compassionate concern of a true Jagadguru for the sustenance of Righteousness (The Eternal Dharma) and the progress of seekers. Speaking with affection and insight, the Jagadguru recalled with warmth his own association with the Sri Shankara Gurukul Veda Patashala, known also as Veda bhavan, tracing it back to his childhood memories and his earlier visit to this very Centre in 2018.

Vidushekhara Bharathi Swamiji expressed appreciation for the steady growth, disciplined atmosphere, and spiritually vibrant environment of the Gurukul, which has blossomed under the guidance of dedicated acharyas (Teachers) and the support of well-wishers. He fondly remembered Late R Venkatram Ghanapati, father of Sriram Ghanapati, the founder of the Gurukul, acknowledging his tireless commitment to Vedic Learning and tradition. The Jagadguru observed that the Vedam Pramanikam, the sanctity, and authority of the Vedas, is upheld here with utmost purity and reverence, thanks to Venkatram Ghanapati’s eminent son Sriram Ghanapati, making this institution one of the shining examples of authentic Vedic Preservation in contemporary times.

In his compassionate and instructive tone, His Holiness passionately conveyed His unequivocal compliments to the students of Sankara Gurukul Veda Patasala, for their sincerity for learning, and counseled them to continue their studies with dedication and completeness. He cautioned them against abandoning the path halfway for whatever reason it could be, reminding that, only through wholehearted engagement can the true fruits of Vedic Knowledge be realized. Referring to many Alumni who have completed their Adhyayanam (Study) here and are now leading comfortable and dignified lives, he emphasized that such fulfillment is not only material but deeply spiritual, for it flows from discipline, learning, and devotion. 

The Pontiff gave a significant piece of guidance to the ‘Young Budding Vedic Scholars’ that, after completing studies, students should take up at least one more shastra for further enrichment, combining the depth of shruti with the insight of shastra to attain holistic wisdom. He inspired them to pursue Veda Adhyayanam with Whole-Hearted Bhakti and unwavering focus, reminding that there is no end to learning, and knowledge is an eternal pursuit sanctified by Narayana Anugraha.

Turning towards the assembled devotees and the broader community, the Jagadguru called for collective support to strengthen and expand the Gurukul. ‘When each individual’s strength is added to the other,’ said Vidushekhara Bharathi Swamiji that, ‘It becomes Sanghatan, a united force, and from such unity arises Grand Success.’ He underlined that the Grace of the Divine descends naturally where there is harmony, cooperation, and selfless effort. Swamiji’s words, simple yet resonant, carried the timeless message that sustaining such institutions is not the task of a few but a sacred responsibility shared by one and all, who value Righteousness, the Dharma, Knowledge, and Cultural Continuity.

Amidst welcome showers, as His Holiness benedictory address concluded with blessings for the prosperity of the Gurukul, the students, the teachers, and the devotees present, the serene vibration of His presence remained long after. For me personally, the evening at Veda Bhavan was more than a visit, but it felt like a gentle reminder of our duty towards the spiritual inheritance we have received. Witnessing the disciplined young Vidyarthis (Vedic Students) chanting the Vedas under the divine gaze of the Jagadguru reaffirmed my faith that India’s ancient wisdom continues to flow unbroken through dedicated institutions like Sri Shankara Gurukul Veda Patashala.

In an age where noise often overshadows silence and information replaces insight, the Veda Bhavan stands as a living testimony to how sacred knowledge, when nurtured with humility and devotion, still finds its echo in young hearts. As I left the premises, with the faint sound of Vedic Mantras resonating through the cool evening air with showers still sounding Vedic Rhythm, I felt the quiet assurance that as long as such Gurukuls thrive and as long as spiritual teachers like the Sringeri Jagadguru continue to guide, assisted by Ghanapatis and Salakshana Ghanapatis like Sriram and Late Venkatram, the light of Sanatana Dharma will never dim. That thought itself was the greatest blessing of the day, a divine gift that made my wife’s simplest birthday celebration one of profound spiritual joy and gratitude.

His Holiness Sri Sringeri Jagadguru Vidushekhara Bharathi Swami has been on a tightly packed schedule during this visit to Hyderabad and Telangana. Meticulously adhering to every commitment, attending every scheduled engagement, a reflection of his firm philosophy that, one’s word is sacred and must be kept at all costs, coupled with traffic disruption due to heavy rain on the way, the program at Veda Bhavan got delayed. What it was originally slated for 4:30 PM had to be slightly adjusted. His Holiness could arrive only around 7:30 PM. Yet, the moment he entered the premises, he was received with traditional and ceremonial welcome, and as he reached the auditorium, the air resounded with the sacred notes of Guru Vandana, concisely but precisely, and nonetheless comprehensively in the limited time organized by Sriram Ghanapati. 

The intervening hours were far from idle; they turned into a spiritual feast. Managing Trustee Sriram Ghanapati, the dynamic head of the Gurukul, scholar of rare versatility, and for all practical purposes, the ‘Friend, Philosopher and Guide’ to the Budding Scholars, or to put in modern terms the Principal, filled the three-hour period with an enlightening discourse drawn from a wealth of ancient scriptures and the Vedas, culminating with Vishnu Sahasra Nama Parayana minutes before Sringeri Jagadguru reaching the hall. His words held the Vedadhyayana students and the assembled devotees alike in rapt attention. He even invited a few knowledgeable Scholars from the audience to share their reflections, turning it a vibrant blend of devotion.

Among the participants were, 86-year-old retired IAS officer and an ardent devotee of Satya Saibaba, KR Paramahamsa with his wife, Chief Executive Shri Veda Bharathi Dr Remella Avadhanulu, CSR Prabhu, Aurobindo Pharma Head Dr Sivakumar, Dr Ramakrishna with his wife, and Suryanarayana who takes care of the ‘Cow Shelter’- the Goshala attached to Veda Bhavan. 

Dr RVSS (Remella) Avadhanulu who addressed for a while is a highly qualified person. MSc (Nuclear Physics), MA PhD (Sanskrit and Jyothish), DLitt (Sanskrit), and Student of classical Sanskrit, Krishna Yajurveda, Mimamsa Sastra, Vedanta Sastra and Vidyaranya Bhashyam. During his brief, he enlightened the activities of Shri Veda Bharathi. They included: the design of Vedic Database which was appreciated by Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, preservation and propagation of Indian Sciences recorded in Sanskrit, First Time Introducing Indian Languages to computers, Rigorous propagation of ‘Vedic Sciences, Veda Vijnana, Veda Ganitam, and Viswa Vijnana’ etc.

Sri Sankara Gurukul Veda Patashala began modestly with just three students under the guidance of Late Venkatram Ghanapati, before evolving into a fully functioning Institution with around 150 Vidyarthis, devoted to the traditional oral recitation and preservation of the Rig and Krishna Yajur Vedas. The collective efforts and devotion of Veda Bhavan Trust members accelerated its significant expansion, comprising a spacious compound that houses study areas, dining and living spaces for students, and facilities to host Vedic Rituals and spiritual gatherings.

A significant milestone was the Bhoomi Pooja performed on January 26. 2019, in which I too participated while I was working as CPRO to CM KCR, marking the beginning of a new phase in infrastructure development. The trust’s aspiration is to evolve Veda Bhavan into a Vedic University, a Centre where higher levels of Vedic and allied studies can flourish alongside moral and spiritual training. The complex was built with the support of Aurobindo Pharma Foundation (APF) through its Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative and the funding support of Rs 3 Crores.

Late Venkatram Ghanapati, the brain behind all this, was widely recognized as a leading Vedic Scholar, with the Honorific titles of Veda Bhashya Ratnam and Salakshana Ghanapati bestowed upon him by major institutions such as the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and Sringeri Sharada Peetham. He mastered not only Vedic Recitation but also the analysis of Bhashya (commentaries) and the Salakshana (Special Distinguishing Features) of the Vedas.

When he was TTD Acharya-in-Charge of the Vidya Kendra, at the behest of the Paramacharya of Kanchi, he shifted his base to Secunderabad-Hyderabad in 1984, and founded the Sri Sankara Gurukul Veda Patashala with just three students, housed initially in his residence. He gradually pioneered institutional building: acquiring land and initiating construction of the ‘Veda Bhavan’ School Building. He attained Shiva Loka on July 10, 2020, leaving behind a rich legacy of scholarship, institution-building and Vedic Revival.

His equally talented and committed son, V Sriram Ghanapati, who upholds his father’s standard of excellence and discipline, and whom I know for over a decade, carries forward his father’s vision. Under his stewardship, the institution continues to expand: maintaining the traditional gurukul style of Vedic Teaching while introducing modern formats (audio-visual aids, online outreach) to widen access and relevance.

Together, the father-son duo represent a continuum of Vedic Scholarship and institutional leadership: Father laying the foundations and son consolidating and modernizing them. Their work ensures that the ancient oral traditions remain alive, rigorous, socially rooted, and relevant. Eventually the Patashala now is almost more than a temple-school, and it is a Living Center of Dharma, Learning and Community Service.

Later, on returning home around 10 PM my wife and daughter marked the auspicious Ksheerabdi Dwadashi by lighting sacred lamps before the Tulasi plants in our balcony, filling the night with a gentle, luminous peace. What a great day indeed, sanctified by the presence of the Jagadguru, enriched by the wisdom of the Gurukul, and crowned by a moment of serene devotion at home. We, as a couple, felt deeply blessed and privileged to have experienced such a day that united the spiritual, the familial, and the divine.

గోవర్ధన పర్వతాన్ని ఎత్తిన శ్రీకృష్ణుడు ..... శ్రీ మహాభాగవత కథ-59 : వనం జ్వాలా నరసింహారావు

 గోవర్ధన పర్వతాన్ని ఎత్తిన శ్రీకృష్ణుడు

 శ్రీ మహాభాగవత కథ-59

వనం జ్వాలా నరసింహారావు

సూర్యదినపత్రిక (03-11-2025)

కంII             చదివెడిది భాగవతమిది,

చదివించును కృష్ణు, డమృతఝరి పోతనయున్

                             చదివినను ముక్తి కలుగును,

చదివెద నిర్విఘ్నరీతి ‘జ్వాలా’ మతినై

గోపికా వస్త్రాపహరణం అనంతరం, వారు వచ్చి అడిగిన తరువాత వారి వస్త్రాలను వారికిచ్చి, గోపికలను అనుగ్రహించి, వ్రేపల్లెకు పంపించి, కృష్ణుడు ఆవులను తోలుకుని బృందావనానికి దూరంగా పోయి మేపసాగాడు. ఎండాకాలం కావడంతో గోప బాలురంతా, గొడుగుల్లాగా నీడనిస్తున్న వృక్షాలను ఆసరా చేసుకుని వాటి కింద నిలుచున్నారు.  అక్కడి నుండి అంతా కలిసి యమునానదికి వెళ్లారు. అక్కడ పెద్ద మడుగులో గోవులకు నీరు తాగించి, వారూ తాగి, నదీ తీరంలో పశువులను మేపారు. తమకు ఆకలిగా వుందని బాలకులంతా బలరామకృష్ణులకు చెప్పారు.

సమీపంలో, అదే వనంలో, వేదవేద్యులైన బ్రాహ్మణులు కొందరు స్వర్గానికి పోవాలని అంగిరసం అనే యజ్ఞం చేస్తున్నారని, వారి దగ్గరికి పోయి తమ పేరు చెప్పి అన్నం అడుగుతే పెట్తారని చెప్పాడు కృష్ణుడు. ఆయన చెప్పినట్లే వారు పోయి, బ్రాహ్మణులకు నమస్కారం చేసి, బలరామకృష్ణులు పంపగా వచ్చామని, తమకు ఆకలిగా వుంది అన్నం పెట్టమని కోరారు. తాము ఎవరికొరకైతే యజ్ఞం చేస్తున్నామో ఆ సర్వేశ్వరుడే వారిని పంపాడని ఊహించలేక, అజ్ఞానంతో ఆ బ్రాహ్మణులు, గోపబాలకులకు అన్నం లేదు పొమ్మని కఠినంగా చెప్పారు. వారంతా నిరాశతో తిరిగొచ్చి విషయాన్ని చెప్పారు కృష్ణుడికి. మళ్లీ పోయి, ఈ సారి బ్రాహ్మణుల భార్యలను తన పేరు చెప్పి అడగమని అన్నాడు కృష్ణుడు. వారు ఆయన చెప్పినట్లే బ్రాహ్మణుల భార్యలను అన్నం అడిగారు. వెంటనే బ్రాహ్మణ స్త్రీలు తొందర-తొందరగా ఆహారాన్ని పాత్రలలో నింపుకుని, భర్తలు అడ్డుపడుతున్నా వినకుండా, శ్రీకృష్ణుడి దగ్గరకు బయల్దేరారు.    

వెళ్లి నందనందనుడిని దర్శించుకున్నారు. భువనమోహనమైన వేషంలో వున్న శ్రీకృష్ణుడిని బ్రాహ్మణ కాంతలు కన్నుల కరవు తీరా చూశారు. హృదయంలోనే ఆ మహానుభావుడిని ఆలింగనం చేసుకున్నారు. వారిని చూసి నవ్వుతూ శ్రీకృష్ణుడు, కుశల ప్రశ్నలు వేశాడు. గృహస్తులైన వారి భర్తలు, భార్యలతో కలిసి యజ్ఞాన్ని పూర్తి చేయాల్సి ఉన్నందున, వారిని వెంటనే యజ్ఞశాలకు పొమ్మన్నాడు. అక్కడికి పోతే తమ భర్తలు శిక్షిస్తారని, తమను ఇక్కడే కృష్ణుడి దాసజనులుగా భావించి రక్షించమని వేడుకున్నారు బ్రాహ్మణ స్త్రీలు. వారి భర్తలు తన అనుగ్రహం వల్ల ఏమీ అనరని, పైగా మెచ్చుకుంటారని, దేవతలు కూడా వారిని మెచ్చుకుంటారని, తనను ధ్యానించినందున కర్మభంధకుములైన దేహాలను విడిచి తనలో ఐక్యం అవుతారని చెప్పి వారిని సమాధాన పరచాడు కృష్ణుడు.

ఇలా కృష్ణుడికి అన్నం తీసుకుని పోయి పెట్టి కృతార్థులైన తమ భార్యల సంగతి తెలుసుకుని బ్రాహ్మణులు తమ చంచలత్వానికి బాధపడ్డారు. తమలాగా హోమం, అధ్యయనం, తపం, జపం, వ్రతాలు చేయకపోయినా తమ భార్యలు హరి కృపకు పాత్రులయ్యారు కదా అనుకున్నారు. ఇలా అనుకుని, పశ్చాత్తాపంతో, శ్రీకృష్ణుడికి వారున్న చోటునుంచే మొక్కారు. కంసుడి భయం వల్ల కృష్ణ సందర్శనం చేసుకోకుండానే వెళ్లిపోయారు.

ఇంతలో యమునా నదీతీరంలో వున్న కృష్ణుడి దగ్గరికి ఇంద్రయాగం చెయ్యాలని చెప్పడానికి నందుడు మొదలైన వారొచ్చారు. యాగం చెయ్యడానికి కారణం, దాని ఉద్దేశం ఏమిటో చెప్పమని వారిని అడిగాడు కృష్ణుడు. వర్షాదిపతైన ఇంద్రుడికి ప్రీతి కలిగించడానికి అందరూ చేస్తున్నట్లే మనంకూడా చేస్తే, ఇంద్రుడు సంతోషిస్తాడని, దానివల్ల వర్షాలు సమృద్ధిగా కురిసి, భూమిలో కసవు పెరిగి, వాటిని ఆవులు మేసి, పాడి-పంట పెరుగుతుందని వారన్నారు. జవాబుగా శ్రీకృష్ణుడు, సృష్టి-స్థితి-లయలు రజస్సు, సత్వం, తమస్సు అనే మూడు గుణాల వల్ల అవుతుందని, వాటిలో రజోగుణం వల్ల జగత్తు జన్మించి మేఘాలు వర్షిస్తాయని, ఆ వాన వల్ల ప్రజలు వర్దిల్లుతారని, ఇందులో ఇంద్రుడి ప్రమేయం ఏమీలేదని చెప్పాడు. ఇంద్రయాగం బదులు ఆవులకు, కొండలకు, బ్రాహ్మణులకు ప్రీతిగా యజ్ఞం చెయ్యడం మంచిదని అన్నాడు. ఆయన మాటలకు అంతా ఒప్పుకున్నారు. ఆయన చెప్పినట్లే చేశారు.

గొల్లలంతా కూడి గోవర్ధనగిరికి పూజానైవేద్యాలు సమర్పించారు. ఆటపాటలతో, ఆవులతో సహా గిరికి ప్రదక్షిణ చేశారు. అక్కడినుండి అంతా వ్రేపల్లెకు చేరారు. ఇదంతా తెలుసుకున్న ఇంద్రుడికి కోపం వచ్చింది. నవ మేఘాలను పిలిచాడు. కృష్ణుడి మాటలు మన్నించి గొల్లలు తనను వదిలేశారని, తన యాగం చెయ్యలేదని, కాబట్టి గొల్లలంతా మృత్యువును పొందే విధంగా రాళ్లవాన కురిపించాలని చెప్పాడు. వెంటనే దట్టంగా కారుచీకటి ఆక్రమించింది. వడగండ్ల, పిడుగుల సమూహంతో కురుస్తున్న వానవల్ల, ప్రళయ కాలంలోలాగా భూమంతా నీటితో నిండిపోయింది. కురుస్తున్న రాళ్లవానకు గోకులవాసులంతా పీడించబడ్డారు. తమను కాపాడమని అంతా కృష్ణుడికి మొరపెట్టుకున్నారు. గతంలో ఎన్నడూ ఇలాంటి ఉరుముల, మెరుపుల, పిడుగుల, చప్పుళ్ల జలధారలు ఎరుగమన్నారు. ఇంద్రుడి గర్వం అణచాలని నిశ్చయించుకున్నాడు కృష్ణుడు.

కరుణార్ద్ర హృదయుడైన కృష్ణుడు విలాసంగా, అవలీలగా, గోవర్ధన పర్వతాన్ని ఎత్తాడు. దాన్ని ఒక గొడుగులాగా పట్టుకున్నాడు. అందరినీ, వారి ఆవుల గుంపుతో సహా, ఆ గొడుగు కిందికి రమ్మన్నాడు. ఆయన చెప్పినట్లే అంతా ఆ కొండ కిందికి చేరి, వినోదంగా గడిపారు. ఇదిలా వుండగా, ఇంద్రుడి ఆజ్ఞానుసారం, మేఘాలు ఏడు రాత్రులు, ఏడు పగళ్లు ఎడతెరిపి లేకుండా వర్షాన్ని కురిపించాయి. ఆ వానలో ఏమాత్రం తడవకుండా గొల్లలంతా గోవర్ధన పర్వతం కింద హాయిగా వున్నారు. ఇంద్రుడు విసిగిపోయాడు. మేఘాలను మళ్లించుకుని తన లోకానికి వెళ్లిపోయాడు. గోవర్ధన పర్వతం కింద వున్న వారందరినీ బయటకు రమ్మని చెప్పాడు కృష్ణుడు. వారంతా అలాగే చేశారు. అంతా కృష్ణుడిని మనసారా దీవించారు. తరువాత వ్రేపల్లెకు అందరితో కలిసి చేరుకున్నాడు శ్రీకృష్ణుడు.

అహంకారాన్ని వీడిన ఇంద్రుడు కామదేనువును వెంటబెట్టుకుని శ్రీకృష్ణుడిని సందర్శించాడు. ఆయన పాదాలమీద సాష్టాంగపడ్డాడు. ఆయనకు నమస్కరిస్తూ స్తోత్రం చేశాడు. తప్పు చేసిన తనను కరుణతో వీక్షించమని ప్రార్థించాడు. దానికి స్పందించిన కృష్ణుడు, ఇంద్రుడిని తన ఆజ్ఞానుసారం నడచుకోమని, కర్తవ్యపాలన చేయమని, గర్వం వద్దని చెప్పాడు. ఆ తరువాత దేవేంద్రుడు కృష్ణుడిని కామధేనువు పాలతో, దేవగంగ జలాలతో అభిషేకం చేసి, ‘గోవిందుడు’ అని పేరు పెట్టాడు.

ఆ తరువాత, ఒక ఏకాదశి నాడు నందుడు ఉపవాసం చేసి, ద్వాదశి పారణ కోసం అర్ధరాత్రి యమునా నదిలో స్నానం చేస్తుంటే, వరుణుడి దూత ఆయన్ను వరుణ పట్టణానికి ఎత్తుకు పోయాడు. ఆయన్ను తీసుకురావడానికి శ్రీకృష్ణుడు అక్కడికి వెళ్లాడు. ఆయన్ను చూసిన వరుణుడు, తన భటుడు పొరపాటున నందుడిని తీసుకువచ్చాడని, తన అపరాధాన్ని సహించమని, మన్నించమని వేడుకున్నాడు. నందుడిని మర్యాదగా అప్పగించాడు. ఆయన్ను తీసుకుని శ్రీకృష్ణుడు వ్రేపల్లెకు తిరిగి వచ్చాడు.               

         (బమ్మెర పోతన శ్రీమహాభాగవతం, రామకృష్ణ మఠం ప్రచురణ ఆధారంగా)

Apostille Stamping is a Beneficial, Essential Reform : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 Apostille Stamping is a 

Beneficial, Essential Reform

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

The Hans India (02-11-2025)

{Apostille stamping is not an everyday requirement; it arises only when someone interacts with foreign systems. This means many citizens encounter it at the last possible moment. Adequate publicity, through government websites, university handbooks, passport offices, and even embassies abroad, can prevent avoidable panic. Outreach in regional languages, integration into e-governance platforms, and even social media campaigns by the MEA could demystify the process}

In the everchanging scenario of ambition, Students pursue higher education across borders, professionals seek employment for bright career in new lands, families plan to spend holiday with loved ones, and entrepreneurs expand businesses globally. For every one of these groups, the expedition begins with applying for a passport and ends with meeting their desire.

Varying case by case, the process is a chain of vital links, identity proof, different certificates, visas, health and police clearances, financial validations, and eventually by and large, authenticating seal of an ‘Apostille or Embassy Attestation.’

Each stage is a safeguard in itself, ensuring the individual’s credentials to stand the scrutiny of another sovereign system. In this landscape, the question of authenticity of documents becomes central. No nation can afford to accept certificates at face value without being assured that they are genuine.

Precisely, out of this need was born the ‘Hague Apostille Convention of 1961’ a Landmark International Agreement that standardized the authentication of documents.

An Apostille is a specific form of legal certification for public documents intended for use in foreign countries. It verifies the document's origin, such as the signature and seal of the issuer, and authenticates it for recognition in other member countries of the Hague Apostle Convention. This certification simplifies international document use by eliminating the need for further Embassy or Consular Legalization in countries that are part of the convention.  The idea was in fact, rooted in the post-war recognition that the world was becoming more interconnected, and that bureaucratic hurdles must not stand in the way of mobility and commerce.

 At the ‘Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)’ an intergovernmental body first convened in 1893, countries came together to devise a simpler method by way of a single certificate, called the Apostille, provided both issuing and receiving countries were signatories. The Apostille was essentially an internationally recognized seal of authenticity. Thus, the idea for the Apostille System did not spring from any single nation's whim, but emerged from a collective, judicious effort.

 By the late 1950s, it was recognized that the traditional ‘Chain Legalization Process’ of document authentication caused unnecessary delays and burdens. Later, a Special Commission meeting in The Hague (April-May 1959), drafted the preliminary text of what would become the ‘Apostille Convention HCCH (Hague Conference on Private International Law).’

Next the drafting commission, chaired by Judge A Panchaud, Vice-Chair R Glusac and Drafting Secretary G Droz, led the finalization of the Convention text, culminating in the signature of the treaty on 5 October 1961 in ‘The Hague.’

India acceded to the Hague Convention in 2004, and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was made the nodal authority to issue Apostilles in India.

A ‘Computer-Generated Square-Shaped Stamp’ with a unique number and QR code is affixed to the back of the document, confirming that the document is genuine. This Apostille is accepted in over 120 countries that are part of the Hague System, including the USA, UK, Europe, Australia, and Japan. The Apostille enables a students, professionals, families, entrepreneurs etc. to go abroad without months of paperwork.

Nevertheless, the spirit of simplification is not without thickets of procedure. While Apostille is affixed centrally by the MEA, the pre-authentication process becomes a bit bottleneck. For someone who has secured admission or job abroad and suddenly discovers the Apostille requirement, this leads to worrisome. Despite the ease of securing Apostle, with the system being rational in design, it is still often unfriendly in practice.

How then can this process be made more citizen-centric? The answer lies in extending the spirit of the Apostille itself, simplification, and avoidance of duplication, into its implementation.

Single-window facilities at the point of primary document issuance could make a world of difference. If marriage registrars, universities, birth certificate issuing municipal offices, and notary services were integrated into the Apostille workflow, citizens could opt for Apostille stamping at the time of obtaining their documents, with ease.

Similarly, embedding awareness in official communication, would save last-minute anxiety. Likewise, digital solutions offer another powerful avenue. The MEA has already introduced computer-generated Apostilles with QR codes, which allow foreign authorities to verify authenticity instantly online.

This could be expanded into an ‘Integrated Apostille Portal’ where applicants upload scanned documents, track the verification chain, and receive alerts at each stage. State departments could be linked directly into this platform, eliminating the need for physical shuttling of papers. There is no reason why Apostille Stamping should remain half-digital and half-manual.

Globally, there are useful comparisons. In countries like the Netherlands and New Zealand, Apostille Stamping is often available online, with documents digitally Apostilled in minutes. Some European Nations have integrated Apostille services into civil registries, so that a birth certificate issued on a day, can be requested with Apostille simultaneously. These models underline that it is possible to move from centralized stamping to decentralized, digitally verified systems without losing authenticity. India for obvious reasons, may not leap overnight to that stage, but the direction is clear.

Another ponderable issue is publicity and awareness. Apostille stamping is not an everyday requirement; it arises only when someone interacts with foreign systems. This means many citizens encounter it at the last possible moment. Adequate publicity, through government websites, university handbooks, passport offices, and even embassies abroad, can prevent avoidable panic. Outreach in regional languages, integration into e-governance platforms, and even social media campaigns by the MEA could demystify the process. Awareness is as much a part of reform as technology.

At the same time, the system must guard against duplication creeping back in new forms. If outsourcing agencies add layers of service charges without adding value, or if state departments delay pre-authentication due to lack of staff, the reform loses its essence. Rationality demands that every stakeholder, state governments, MEA, and others connected, see themselves as part of a seamless chain serving the citizen. Apostille stamping reflects the challenge of governance reforms in India. The country often takes the right step at the international or central level, but struggles with last-mile delivery. The solution is not to abandon reforms but to deepen them in the user’s perspective.

Apostille Stamping in India is a progressive reform born out of an international consensus to ease global movement. It has already spared citizens the ordeal of multiple embassy visits and legalized India’s documents across more than 120 countries. But its promise is yet to be fully realized.

Real-life difficulties faced by the needy, show that the system is ambiguous. The path forward lies in ‘Single-Window Integration, Digital Platforms, better Publicity, and Global Benchmarking.’

If improvements are made, the Apostille will not just be a stamp on a paper, but it will be a symbol of how governance can adapt to the needs of a global citizenry. In a world where borders should not become barriers to opportunity, such a facility deserves to be continuously bettered, streamlined, and celebrated. In the final reckoning, the dream of studying, working, doing business, or living abroad does not end with a stamped visa or even the thrill of boarding a flight.

It culminates only when one is able to stand on foreign soil with confidence, knowing that every document in hand has been recognized, every requirement met, and every process completed with dignity and ease. From ‘Passport to Apostille, from Certificate Verification to Visa Clearance’ the chain is long but meaningful. It reflects a system designed to safeguard both the individual and the host country.

The Telangana State Government deserves full complements for opening an easily accessible NRI Counter in Secretariat, with one committed Data Entry Officer, Record Assistant, Section Officer, and Signing Officer of an Additional Secretary Cadre, for mandatory ‘State Government Attestation’ that precedes MEA Apostille Stamping. Yet, this chain must become ‘Smoother, Faster, and more Citizen-Friendly.’

(PERSONAL EXPERIENCE)